IMPRESS Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'impress' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect , influence , strike , sway , and touch . While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect. // only one of the plans impressed him

Q: When is it sensible to use 'affect' instead of 'impress'?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction. // the sight affected her to tears

Q: When might 'influence' be a better fit than 'impress'?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior). // our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Q: Where would 'strike' be a reasonable alternative to 'impress'?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike , similar to but weaker than impress , may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation. // struck by the solemnity of the occasion

Q: When would 'sway' be a good substitute for 'impress'?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action. // politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

Q: In what contexts can 'touch' take the place of 'impress'?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming. // plants touched by frost // his emotions were touched by her distress

impress 1 of 2

noun

Definition of impress

as in impression

a perceptible trace left by pressure the stamp left a smudgy impress on the paper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

impress

2 of 2

verb

im-ˈpres

as in to affect

to act upon (a person or a person's feelings) so as to cause a response impressed him with the intensity of their musical performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to engrave

to produce a vivid impression of impressed the importance of safe driving habits by displaying photos of horrific crashes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compel

to cause (a person) to give in to pressure after weeks of nagging, they impressed her into going to the masquerade party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb impress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of impress are affect, influence, strike, sway, and touch. While all these words mean "to produce or have an effect upon," impress stresses the depth and persistence of the effect.

only one of the plans impressed him

When is it sensible to use affect instead of impress?

The words affect and impress can be used in similar contexts, but affect implies the action of a stimulus that can produce a response or reaction.

the sight affected her to tears

When might influence be a better fit than impress?

Although the words influence and impress have much in common, influence implies a force that brings about a change (as in nature or behavior).

our beliefs are influenced by our upbringing

Where would strike be a reasonable alternative to impress?

The meanings of strike and impress largely overlap; however, strike, similar to but weaker than impress, may convey the notion of sudden sharp perception or appreciation.

struck by the solemnity of the occasion

When would sway be a good substitute for impress?

The words sway and impress are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sway implies the acting of influences that are not resisted or are irresistible, with resulting change in character or course of action.

politicians who are swayed by popular opinion

In what contexts can touch take the place of impress?

While the synonyms touch and impress are close in meaning, touch may carry a vivid suggestion of close contact and may connote stirring, arousing, or harming.

plants touched by frost

his emotions were touched by her distress

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of impress

Noun

With 1,042 rooms in family-friendly and adults-only areas, this expansive resort impresses. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026 But the lead did impress because Tampa had everything to play for, in a fight with Carolina to win the sad NFC South and claim the conference’s final available playoff spot. — Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025

Verb

Joe Raedle | Getty Images Todd Jackson, Thomas Crowson and Colby Kaminer were impressed by Burger King’s management team and their vision for the chain. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 Junior outside hitter Ishana Harish is one of the Mustangs who have been impressed with Candela’s play. — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impress

Noun

Which environment gives you a better chance to make an impression?

— John M. O'Connor, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
What left the greatest impression in La Jolla, however, was the staging by Danya Taymor, who would go on to win a Tony for her breathtakingly fluid direction.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of impression

Verb

Our research suggests these tombs were designed and constructed not simply to house the dead, but to affect the living through a sensorily immersive environment similar to a modern 3D film experience.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
At that altitude, even small changes in orientation can affect where an instrument looks on the ground.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of affect

Verb

My Deluxe Corner Suite was the definition of mod Thai chic—all clean lines subtly accented with Thai touches, like a lotus pattern engraved above the bathtub and drapes in Thai silk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Speaking vulnerably, Sandy tells us about her journey, and she is moved when Aesha gives her a necklace with a pendant engraved with the number 36 and an anchor.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of engrave

Verb

This was a back-door effort to coerce Detroit to phase out the internal combustion engine, as the only realistic way car makers could meet the requirement was to massively expand their EV or hybrid inventories.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
This hasn’t stopped the Administration from trying to coerce states to hand over their voter rolls.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of coerce

Verb

Public opposition has already impacted around $42 billion of data center investments in Europe, in account delays and cancellations, according to research from STL Partners.

— April Roach,Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
During the three-day gathering, scientists and policymakers from around the world are expected to discuss how AI is impacting education, how experts can foster trust in scientific research, recent breakthroughs in personalized medicine and more.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of impact

Browse Nearby Words

impresas

impress

impressed

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Style

“Impress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impress. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impress

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